First Open Space facilitation

[Harrison Owen]

Lesley -- Thanks for sharing! And for whatever it is worth I can tell you that even after 25 years, it is always your first Open Space. Of course there is a "sameness" -- Sit in a circle, create a bulletin board, open a market place and go to work. But each time is also radically different as well. I guess part of that difference is the group(s). But it is also you. I loved your reflections which said a little about Open Space and a lot about your journey. And each time you discover more and more about yourself. At least that has always been my experience. I have always found it to be a very intimate and revealing discovery. And when you share that experience, you are sharing something quite intimate and revealing. That may be the reason you had to struggle a bit before plunging in.

Harrison 

Harrison Owen
189 Beaucaire Ave
Camden, ME 04843
207-763-3261 (Summer)
301-365-2093 (Winter)
Website www.openspaceworld.com 
Personal Website www.ho-image.com 
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-----Original Message-----
From: OSLIST [mailto:OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU] On Behalf Of Lesley Symons
Sent: Sunday, July 19, 2009 12:18 AM
To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
Subject: First Open Space facilitation

I have sat struggling with why I have been resistant to posting the 
experience of my first facilitation of an OS event. Still not sure.... I  
worked with a colleague, who's client this is, Anyway....the story
I am based in Sydney Australia and facilitated this workshop in Amsterdam, 
Holland. The client was a corporate company with offices in Holland, 
Australia, USA and UK. The meeting was a strategic meeting with 
representatives from all offices. Approx. 40 people in total.
I suggested to my colleague that an Open Space event would be just right 
for the organisation as there were:- top down control management,(based in 
Holland),there were talented people throughout the organisation who were 
not being heard, there was a powerful question to be resolved, the company 
could not keep operating from the current management style and remain 
successful, there was growing 'dissent among the ranks'.
The event was extremely successful. Both this organisation and my 
colleague were enormously brave to be able to 'let go' and go with this 
type of event. It has shifted their style and enabled the company to be 
much more 'self-organising' and less top down in operation. 

I held the space over two days. I had training just before with Brendan 
McKeague here in Australia. He also was of immense help to me.

I found the event Scary, frightening, exhilarating-and very powerful. I 
was nervous as I had suggested to do this type of event yet had never done 
one!! 
Also I was a female in a room with 38 corporate males with most wondering 
nervously what was going on......... 

So my musings on doing this event are-or rather-Notes to self for next time

wear comfortable, flat shoes for walking the circle(helps with grounding)
Walk very slowly-slower than you think possible
Own the space before entering (practise or walk the circle before)
Modulate voice tone if you can
News/Opening/Closing-impress that these are important times to meet
Action Planning: - Be Prepared...and then let go
Spend much time before and after with client-Before- to get the question 
right- After- to help assist with the fall-out (grief work) when the 
system changes
Do not under-estimate who can embrace this 
Remain true to self and the PROCESS (this is your rock)
When you really feel pulled-in to engage-DON'T- this is the magic moment 
A lot happens over night
You need two facilitators-one to hold the space and the other to organise 
and liaise with hotel
Hotels don't get it- needs to be really briefed well, can be quite 
frustrating
 
Be present............ Keep Meditating and go inward .......... 
 
So that is all from me...at last. The client has been very happy with the 
event. It has changed operating styles of individuals, groups and the 
organisation as a whole, it has inspired them to 'slow down' and consider 
more.
I have given the CEO Harrisons book on Open Space and handed him the 
responsibility going forward for 'keeping the space open'.

I wish to thank my colleague who had the 'faith to trust’ and run with 
this type of meeting.

Over and out

Lesley Symons

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